On 07/10/2021 at 10:10 a.m., the Palo Alto County Sheriff’s Office received a report of a two-vehicle accident on the 4300 block of 280th Street. Upon investigation it was determined that Soneva Marie Goering of Jackson, Minnesota, was traveling west on 280th Street in a 2009 Toyota Sienna, registered to herself. Soneva was attempting to make a right hand turn into an entrance for Valley View Cemetery. Due to the angle of the entrance and Soneva’s direction of travel, she crossed over the centerline to make a wide turn into the cemetery. Soneva would not signal her intention to make a turn.
A 1999 Cadillac Escalade driven by and registered to James Walter Ingalls of Bancroft was traveling west on 280th Street behind the Toyota. James’s crested the hill, saw the Toyota crossing over the centerline, and thought the Toyota was drifting over to make a left hand turn into a field drive. James would slow but not stop as he intended to overtake the Toyota.
Soneva would ultimately attempt the right hand turn and be struck by the Cadillac. Both vehicles came to rest in a field on the north side of the road.
Damage to the Toyota is estimated at $7,000.00 and damage to the Cadillac is estimated at $8,000.00. No injuries were reported on scene. Soneva was issued a citation for failure to use turn signal.
The Palo Alto County Sheriff’s Office was assisted by the Graettinger Fire Department and Palo Alto County Ambulance Service.
A criminal charge is merely an accusation and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.